Valleys Enduro South Wales Champs Dates Announced

Words: Nick Bentley

Experience an unforgettable weekend of Racing at the Valleys Enduro South Wales Champs

We are thrilled to announce the Valleys Enduro South Wales Champs, a two-day extravaganza of enduro racing featuring amazing Welsh hand-cut trails. With a range of races to suit all levels and abilities, this event promises to be a highlight on the racing calendar.

The main attraction of the weekend is the highly anticipated Valleys Enduro South Wales Champs Main Race, showcasing the finest talent from around the UK on trails to rival anything offered by national series enduro events. But that's not all! We have something for everyone, from newcomers to seasoned riders. The Saturday MashUp offers a thrilling opportunity to conquer the trails in the popular MashUp format, allowing riders to tackle the trails in any order they like without the pressure of start times and orders. Meanwhile, the Sunday Lite Race provides an opportunity for new riders to dip their toes into enduro racing for the first time.

Key Highlights of the Event:

Inclusive Racing: There are no age restrictions for any of the races. Whether you're a novice or a pro, everyone is invited to participate and experience the rush of competition.
No License Needed: Don't worry about licenses! We've removed this barrier, making it even easier for you to get on the track and show your skills.
Race Points and Format: The main race is worth double series points, adding an extra layer of excitement for participants. However, if you're joining the Lite or MashUp race, remember that these races are non-points-bearing, allowing you to focus purely on the thrill of the ride.


The Trails:

The majority of the racing will take place at Walters Arena. Walters Arena is in an area ripe for enduro, creating an interesting race. There will be 5 stages based in Walters Arena. But if you sign up for the main race, the Valleys Enduro South Wales Champs, you're in for a treat with the use of the Rheola downhill track.

Downhill tracks feature in all their glory in many enduro series, such as Fort William with the Scottish Enduro Series and Y Mynydd under the golden days of the Welsh Gravity Enduro Series. Now, the Valleys Enduro Series brings you the amazing Rheola downhill track, which is a highlight of the national downhill series brought to enduro for the first time. Now, Rheola isn't for the faint-hearted; you'll only race Rheola if you sign up for the main race. Mashup and Lite races are all contained in Walters Arena. Using Rheola helps prove a concept while providing a quality national-level race.

It's right that a regional series rounds off with a suitably tough race, especially one in South Wales. Typically, regional series with decent terrain have a champs race at the highest level. National-level races are often 1000m+ with 20k+ riding and well over 10 minutes of racing. So, to achieve this, we are hoping to add the Rheola DH track to Walters Arena. We have plans in case NRW, who run the forest, change their minds on the uses of Rheola, and more on that if and when that time comes. But! We absolutely know not everyone wants to be challenged this way, which is why we decided to evolve the format to allow more people to compete. Enter the Saturday Mashup and the Lite race. Saturday MashUp is the easiest in terms of elevation and distance in a loop; the Lite race is in between the MashUp and the main race – both great stepping stones to progress up to the national level.

Event Schedule:

Friday, September 29, 2023: The excitement kicks off with FREE camping open from 6 pm. Settle in, then embark on a track walk to familiarize yourself with the course.

Saturday, September 30, 2023: The heart of the action! Grab your number board and timing chip for the MashUp, then hit the tracks for practice from 8 am to 5 pm. Stages 1-4 will be temporarily closed from 10 am to 2 pm to accommodate the MashUp race. Lite and main race participants get complimentary access to the MashUp. After 5 pm, track walking resumes while the trail crew works their magic.

Sunday, October 1, 2023: Race day! The adrenaline-fuelled action begins at 8 am. Arrive 10 minutes prior to your start time for chip collection. Races commence in the following order: E-Bikers, optional women's main and women's Lite wave, mixed waves. Podium celebrations follow, starting with Lite categories, then main race E-Bikers and manual categories. After your race, you're welcome to head out or consider staying as we explore the possibility of extended camping.

Join us for an unforgettable weekend of racing, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. Whether you're aiming for the podium or simply looking to challenge yourself, the Valleys Enduro South Wales Champs is your ultimate destination. Secure your spot today by registering Here.